What I Won't Give Up

I would say that the last two months have probably been some of the most challenging that I've faced in my 8 years of full-time ministry. It hasn't been that the situations are challenging, but the work-load is tremendous. I feel like some stuff is slipping. In fact, just a little while ago, I got an email from someone, and I'm afraid that I let them down...and I had no intention of doing so...I've just gotten drowned in the 'tyranny of the urgent.'

Anyway...one of the things that I've worked hard on the last couple of months, with varying degrees of success is to kind of plant my foot about some things -- that I just won't give up -- even if stuff at the church suffers for it.

• I won't give up time with my family. I'll come in at 6:00am if I have to...but I'm striving to be home about 4:30. That gives my about two hours or so with my boys before they go to bed.
• I won't give up time at the gym. I feel 100% better about myself for the hour I try to spend in the gym each day.
• I won't give up reading -- I have to feed myself, if I'm going to have anything to give. That being said -- this is probably the area that's suffering a little bit right now.

How are babies made?

Caleb: Mommy, how will the baby come out?

Jen: Do you really want to know, Caleb?

Caleb: Yeah, I really want to know.

Jen: Well, there's two ways...aunt Andrea had Elsa the way where they cut across her stomach and the doctor takes the baby out. Mommy did it the other way. Where I pushed the baby out through a hole called the vagina...kinda down by my pee-pee. It hurts and it's hard to push it out.

Caleb: Woah! I'm so glad I'm a boy!

Jen: Yeah...that's nice.

Caleb (looking at Gavin): Well, someday we're going to have to build houses, so I guess it's fair!

From a week ago...in the middle of a wrestling match...

Caleb: Daddy, you know what? (as he rubs his cheek) I think my beard is coming in.

Are witches real?

The thing about being a parent is that you always have to be on your toes. Here's an interchange that happened in our van yesterday:

Caleb: Hey mom (he started calling us 'mom' and 'dad' yesterday because that's what his friend calls his parents -- no more 'mommy' and 'daddy'). Are witches real?

Jen: uhhhh

Jen: (whispers to me) What do I say? How about witches worship another god...you think that's alright.

Charlie: Sure, go with that.

Jen: (to Caleb now): Yes, witches are real, but not like on TV, they are people who worship another god.

Caleb: Do they stir the green stuff?

Jen: No

Caleb: Do they wear black robes?

Jen: No. You probably wouldn't even recognize them -- they look just like you and me.

Caleb: Can they fly around?

Me: No, they don't really do magic like on they do on TV.

Caleb: Oh...

So the moral of the story is, always be ready when you're a parent, cuz you never know what's coming next!!

It's another boy!

I'm just saying... It's funny watching people's response when I tell them that we're having another boy! People get all excited and ask, "what are you having this time?" And then I say, "another boy." And then they do their best to try to be excited, but it just isn't there. I don't blame them...we were a little crestfallen...I'm just saying

Connect Four

Well, it's official... We're having another BOY! We just found out tonight! (maybe we aren't doing something right!!)

From the Dean House

Caleb came home from school the other day and had gotten a "respect" award that included a certificate and a bracelet. He informed us that he was the 1st boy in his class to get this and only 1 other girl had gotten it. So, Jennifer and I were praising him, letting him know that we were proud of him...you know, standard positive reinforcement-type stuff. "We're so proud of you." "This is so good." etc. And then Gavin, who was sitting on one of the bar stools, wanting to join in with the praise, busted out with, "Caleb I love you soooooo much." My kids make me laugh!